Attitude adjustment behind Lions' roaring response

Brisbane coach Chris Fagan thinks his men learnt plenty from a round one humbling after bouncing back against Melbourne at the Gabba.

Lions coach CHRIS FAGAN looks on during the AFL match between the Brisbane Lions and the Geelong Cats at The Gabba in Brisbane, Australia.
Lions coach CHRIS FAGAN looks on during the AFL match between the Brisbane Lions and the Geelong Cats at The Gabba in Brisbane, Australia. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Brisbane coach Chris Fagan believes his side's bounce-back defeat of Melbourne demonstrates that they've learnt the difference between hunger and confidence.

The Lions played lights-out football - until the lights really did go out at the Gabba - on Friday.

A 38-minute break to restore power wasn't kind to the hosts, as their lead was subsequently slashed from 40 to 11 at fulltime thanks to five unanswered goals in the 12 minutes that remained.

But for most of the evening it was one-way traffic, the visitors having been stunned early when star ruckman and skipper Max Gawn (knee) was substituted with what's feared to be a serious injury.

The Lions' victory comes after a first-round flogging from Port Adelaide that shocked observers as much as the Lions themselves.

Fagan gave the final 12 minutes of Friday's game little credence, pointing to the attitude adjustment highlighted by their statistical dominance.

"Last week we went in full of confidence and Port went in full of hunger and you can see what happens when when the mindsets are a little bit different," the coach said.

"I didn't think it was their ability last week, I just thought it was our mindset wasn't as strong.

"It actually helped us this week, and I reckon it was great that we were playing a really good side in Melbourne, who've been looking pretty unbeatable.

"The boys have learnt a valuable lesson about the mindset you need to turn up to an AFL game."

Brisbane next face Western Bulldogs on Thursday and Fagan wants more of what he saw from Will Ashcroft in the father-son pick's second game.

The 18-year-old had a team-high 31 disposals to go with nine clearances, a goal and 15 contested possessions without taking a single mark.

"He's a fine young footballer," Fagan said.

"He can find the ball and he can set things up for us. If he can get somewhere near that most weeks that'd be terrific result from a first-year player, but there's a long way in the season to go."

Fagan was also full of praise for Dayne Zorko, who highlighted his value to the team on return from injury with a two-goal, four-tackle, pressure-packed performance.